10 Easy-to-Make, Easy-to-Avoid Financial Aid Blunders

Don’t rush the process – any mistakes can cause serious delays in the process or, worse, disqualify you all together.

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6. Mind the blanks

7. Tossing your records

Save all of the documents for your records in case anything gets lost or goes missing. That way, you’ll have proof that you filled out your forms on time and won’t be counted out for financial aid consideration!

8. The whole picture

Make sure all of your parent/guardian information is accounted for so that your aid amount is accurate.

Also, you’re part of your household size – don’t forget to include yourself!

9. Don’t wait on taxes

Do not wait until you have filed your federal income tax returns to submit the FAFSA! You can use estimated numbers to complete the FAFSA, instead.

You’ll have the opportunity to correct any errors at a later date (US Department of Education will send an email reminder in April to update the FAFSA information after your federal income tax returns have been filed) and you will be required to update the application after your taxes are filed.

10. Not applying

Time and time again, students claim, “I’m not filing because there’s no way I’ll qualify for aid.”

The truth is, you never know until you apply and, in some cases, you must apply to be eligible for certain considerations, like scholarships.

Don’t cheat yourself out of the opportunity to get financial aid – apply no matter what!

Have you made any other silly financial aid blunders? Warn people below!